Ishiki Iroha; Had to age her up to avoid some delicate Patreon rules
Yuigahama Yui Gyaru
****
After school.
In Class 3-B, the chatter of students gradually thinned out as everyone filtered from the room. A few stragglers remained, laughing in small groups or slowly stuffing books into their bags.
At his desk, Hikigaya Hachiman methodically packed up his own school bag, his mind still dwelling on the homeroom meeting.
Teacher Kirisu had announced the formation of study groups, supposedly to boost academic performance. But it wasn't just about grades. If one student in the group fell behind, the others were expected to help. If the weakest member's grades slipped too much, the whole group would be punished.
The message was clear: no dead weight. Everyone was responsible for each other.
On the surface, Kirisu-sensei was cold and terrifying, but deep down… maybe she really was a good teacher. Her reasoning reminded him of Hiratsuka-sensei. Hiratsuka often used brute force or intimidation, but in the end, her intentions had always been kind.
...Hiratsuka-sensei.
Hachiman's thoughts drifted. He couldn't help but wonder which school she had transferred to. If only he'd asked for her contact info before she left. She had been his true benefactor, guiding him at his lowest point. The idea of losing contact with her forever left a hollow ache in his chest.
If I get another chance, I have to at least thank her properly.
"Air-kun, see you tomorrow. Oh, and don't go home and start fantasizing about my thighs, okay?"
"Eh? Who would do that?!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's teasing voice snapped him back to reality. She smirked, her tone mischievous as always.
Seriously, Senpai… is embarrassing me your hobby?
Hachiman sighed, shoving away his lingering nostalgia for Hiratsuka-sensei. Right now, he had bigger problems.
Ever since Kirisu had assigned the study groups, he felt like he was carrying a boulder on his back. Being stuck with Kasumigaoka was already bad enough. Add in Katou—an invisible demon king who wore a deceptively gentle smile—and Sawamura, who had been giving him attitude all day?
It was like being shoved into a lion's den while holding a raw steak.
If only they were normal classmates, things would've been so much easier. He could've just done his part, reported back to Yukinoshita, and called it a day. But no—now he had to face this nightmare trio head-on.
Do I really… really have to bite the bullet and become friends with them?
The thought alone sent shivers down his spine. Friendship wasn't his thing. It was dangerous, unpredictable, and way too much effort.
After saying goodbye to Kasumigaoka, Hachiman trudged toward the Service Club room, his school bag dragging him down like a ball and chain. Thanks to Senpai delaying him, he was the last to arrive.
Sliding the door open, he was greeted by an unexpectedly cheerful scene.
Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui, and his little sister Komachi were seated around the long wooden table, laughing and chatting together. The atmosphere felt strangely warm, like a bubble he didn't belong in.
"Yahallo~!" Yuigahama chirped, waving the moment she spotted him. "Hikki, how was school today? Did anything fun happen?"
...Nope. Nothing fun at all.
Hachiman shook his head wordlessly and shuffled over, pulling out the chair beside Yuigahama.
"Is that so." Yui scooted slightly, making space for him. Her skirt shifted with the motion, showing off a flash of fair thighs. Her chest bounced naturally as she leaned forward.
The scale… is unreal.
Compared to Yukinoshita, who was all elegance and sharp edges, Yuigahama's figure was on another level entirely. Against his will, Hachiman's mind wandered to yesterday—when Yuigahama had suddenly stumbled and landed in his arms.
Soft. Warm. Fragrant.
Wait, wait, wait! What am I thinking about?!
Hachiman mentally slapped himself. It was bad enough to harbor pointless fantasies before, but now he actually had a girlfriend. This was dangerous. Very dangerous.
Determined to avoid another accident, he put a safe distance between himself and Yuigahama as he sat down.
"Big bro, why do you look so dead again today?" Komachi tilted her head from across the table, her sharp gaze immediately picking up on his drained expression.
"Yesterday was one thing, but you're still listless today. Is third-year study really that hard? Yui-nee and Yukino-nee look fine, so clearly, the problem's with you!"
"Ugh…"
Hachiman nearly cried on the spot. If only Komachi knew the hell he was going through thanks to Kasumigaoka-senpai.
The days ahead… are going to crush me.
Hikigaya's bitter face twisted even further as Yukinoshita's voice sliced through the air, merciless as ever. "Hehe… with how weak you look right now, Hikigaya-kun, I doubt you'd even be as strong as a girl. If Yuigahama-san arm-wrestled you, you probably wouldn't stand a chance, would you?"
"Huh?!" I—excuse me?! What kind of savage mockery is that?! What do you mean I can't even beat Yuigahama in arm wrestling?! I'm a guy, for crying out loud!
"Oh? Komachi thinks so too!" My traitorous little sister suddenly chimed in, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "But big brother looks suuuper unconvinced, so… how about we let Yui-nee arm-wrestle him to prove it?"
"…???" Hey, hey, hey! What the heck, Komachi?! Do you really have that little faith in your beloved onii-chan?! No, wait, surely Yukinoshita won't go along with this nonsense. Right? Right, Yukinoshita?
"Hmm." Yukinoshita folded her arms, lips curling upward with a terrifyingly refined smile. "Komachi makes an excellent point. As the club president, I'll allow it. Yuigahama-san and Hikigaya-kun should settle this with an arm-wrestling match."
"E-Ehh?!" Yuigahama yelped, face turning bright pink.
"Ah?!" I practically squeaked.
....
And that's how I, Hikigaya Hachiman, found myself sitting across from Yuigahama at the long wooden table, staring her down like some kind of battlefield rival. Except the battlefield was… arm wrestling.
Why. Why am I doing this?! I'm a man, dang it! A man! Do they really look down on me this much?!
"Alright! Ready… start!" Komachi clapped her hands gleefully, practically bouncing with excitement. She even shoved my hand into Yuigahama's, forcing us into position before I could protest.
No, no, no—this is bad! Komachi is one thing, but Yukinoshita's smirk tells me she's actually serious about this. And Yuigahama's not even resisting! Are we really doing this?
Wait a sec… This is the second time I've touched a girl's hand, right? Yukinoshita's was smooth and delicate like porcelain. But Yuigahama's… hers is warm, soft, almost melting in my palm—
Stop! Stop right there, brain! Don't compare! Don't compare!
Crap, my hands are sweating! I can't grip properly! This is it… I'm going to be KO'd by Yuigahama in the most humiliating way possible.
Goodbye, Hikigaya Hachiman. You lived as you died: useless.
But unbeknownst to me, Yuigahama herself was practically overheating. Her head was bowed low, her cheeks a vivid crimson. Her fingers trembled against mine, and her grip was so weak it was almost nonexistent.
And then—before Komachi even finished saying "Go"—her hand just flopped down on the table with a dull thud.
"Eh…?" Komachi blinked, frozen in place. "Yui-nee, you… you lost already?!"
"I-I… I lost!" Yuigahama yanked her hand back instantly, burying her face into her chest to hide her embarrassment.
…Seriously? That's it? No strength used, no effort at all, and she just… forfeited?
Ahh, but… Yuigahama-san is kinda cute when she's like that. The way her shoulders tremble, the shy pout on her lips… yeah, really cute. Still… seriously, what a complete airhead!
Of course, I wasn't the only one exasperated. Yukinoshita rubbed her temples in frustration, muttering under her breath. It seemed she had been hoping for a longer… interaction, but Yuigahama's hopeless performance ruined even that.
And just when the mood was starting to feel unbearably awkward, the clubroom door slid open.
"Senpai? Senpai? What are you all doing in here? The Service Club's so lively today~"
A sweet, playful voice rang out, drawing every gaze toward the doorway.
Standing there with her usual devilish smile was none other than Isshiki Iroha.
The little imp had arrived—uninvited, of course.
My shoulders stiffened instantly, and I looked away. Great. Just great. As if things weren't already bad enough. But Yukinoshita? Her eyes practically lit up the moment Iroha stepped inside…